Day: November 24, 2013

Alphabytes are object meditations that move through the alphabet two times in the course of the fifty-two weeks in the year. “Zoom Lens” introduces the last of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide: autumn in the north, spring in the south. Alphabytes in Kingdomtide: “Nose” to “Zoom Lens”

I need a zoom lens for this year that is over—an inner eye thatwidens the angle to catch the whole landscape from the first Advent Candleto the exalted light of Christ the King.And then a turning of the lens zooms into an hour and minute’s meaning,as each is cycled into days that make wholeness of the year,as some great search for clues or fingerprints.

A tiny drop of blood carries with it the whole of a life’s unique, wide expanse.
So too, the way you live each momentsays something about how your whole year is,for every moment’s yes or no to life sets the flow of time’s next movement,just as the energy of the flow is released by repentance.Whatever you see—whether close up or far away—is filed away in the pages of the Book of Life, ever to be perfectedas you pause and relish each page,creating change by grace in the empty pages that lie stretched out before you.

The final Sunday dedicated to Christ the King has us contemplate our Lord upon the throne of the cross. Place yourself before the cross, aware of the two thieves on either side. Hear the blasphemies of the one, and the tender response of the other. The late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen remarked, “The thief on the left wanted to be taken down; the thief on the right wanted to be taken up!”

As you look upon your King and the ignominy of his throne, may your heart be filled with the same grace with which the good thief responded. Jesus has taken possession of the Kingdom; he will share the paradise of his Kingdom presence with you now, if your prayer is as simple and direct as the one of the saved thief. The cross is the throne upon which Jesus shares his kingship with you. The victory and the joy are there.

Bible Breaths“My Father, please forgive them.” v. 34This is the King of the Jews. v. 38Lord Jesus, remember me…v. 42Now with You in paradise. v. 43

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This is the last of thirteen weeks in Kingdomtide, Year C.See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above. Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from The Revised Common Lectionary. Year C is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke.